The mentoring programme, run in collaboration with Northamptonshire Children’s Trust (NCT), pairs newly-trained volunteers with young people who have recently left the care system.

Life is often difficult for Care Leavers, having spent their childhood in care and often being moved to a new home every few years, before being discharged at 18 with little support or guidance. As such, Care Leavers are one of the most consistently disengaged groups in the country – far more likely to spend time homeless or in prison than those without care experience.

However, Goal 17’s extensive data shows that having a single, consistent person in their corner can have a life-changing positive impact – and this is where volunteers come in.

Full, industry-leading training is provided and the time commitment is designed to be manageable alongside existing work and family lives – a couple of hours a month is often all it takes to change a life.

Mentors offer consistent, one-to-one support to help their mentee build confidence, set goals, and navigate the transition to independence. If you or someone you know has a desire to help and a couple of hours a month to give, this is the perfect opportunity.

Goal 17 CEO and Founder Francesca Salussolia said: “Every one of our care leavers deserves someone in their corner — not a service, not a system, just a person who shows up. In Northampton we’ve seen what that can do: young people who felt unreachable building real, trusting relationships with a volunteer who simply kept turning up. It takes as little as two hours a month, but the impact lasts a lifetime. If you’ve ever wanted to make a genuine difference to someone’s life, this is it.”

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, please visit https://www.goal17.global/volunteer to learn more and sign up.